by Romano Di Franco
NEPEAN, ON – The Nepean Raiders hosted the Kemptville 73s for a Sunday matinee at the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman Arena. It was the third meeting between the two teams with Kemptville having come away victorious in both games.
The 73s are 3-2 in their last five games and currently sit in fifth place in the Robinson Division while the Raiders are 2-3 in their last five and occupy sixth in the Yzerman Division.
Jacob Biron (7-6-3-1, 3.63 GAA, 0.896 SV%) started in goal for Kemptville while Gage Stewart (1-9, 3.38 GAA, 0.908 SV %) got the start between the pipes for Nepean.
Kemptville has scored first nine times this season and have outshot their opponents seven times this season while Nepean has scored first 13 times and outshot their opponents five times to date.
The first period was scoreless but it almost was not with Gage Stewart forced to make an outstanding save just before the buzzer sounded. Kemptville had the majority of chances outshooting Nepean 18-8. The Raiders’ best chance came on a short-handed breakaway after Anthony Rivard stole the puck in his own zone and sprung Brandon Reinisch all alone on Biron. Reinisch was hauled down just before he could get the shot away and there was no penalty on the play.
It was Kemptville that would ultimately strike first with a goal in the first minute of the second period. Emile Trottier rung a blast from the slot off the right-post. The rebound bounced all the way back to Matt Thomas who found Khaden Henry at the far post. Henry made a nice move in from to fool Stewart and deposited the puck in the back of the net to put Kemptville up 1-0.
Gage Stewart continued to keep Nepean in the game as he faced 18 shots stopping 17. The Raiders were able to put just four shots on Biron. After 40 minutes the 73s had a big advantage in shots at 36-12.
The Raiders’ best chance in the third period came on a 3-on-1 short-handed effort that saw Luke Posthumus’ shot blocked after some good puck movement. He had Curtiss Sturgeon and Anthony Rivard with him.
Nepean had their backs to the wall with just 5:05 left in the third period after Wade Bolton was assessed a match-penalty for a Check From Behind on Chase Lammi. Hunter Brazier made Nepean pay to get the game-clincher with Nepean remaining short-handed for the remainder of the game.
The Raiders pressed during the short-handed situation and Tristan Caldwell had a glorious scoring chance forcing Biron to be sharp. The Raiders outshout Kemptville 19-7 in the final frame.
Jacob Biron (31 saves on 31 shots) was named the game’s first star. Gage Stewart (41 saves on 43 shots) was the second star and Khaden Henry (1G) captured third star honours with his game-winner.
Luke Posthumus is named the Hardest Working Raider.
Nepean will be back at it for a rare Tuesday game as they travel to the Carleton Place Arena – Rink 1 to take on the Carleton Place Canadians for a 7:15pm puck drop.
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